The mystical and enchanting allure of cherries is often associated with magical properties and symbolism. Cherries have long been regarded as a symbol of love and passion due to their vibrant red color and succulent flavor. In many cultures, cherries are also believed to possess transformative and healing properties. The cherry tree itself holds great significance in folklore and mythology. In ancient Greek mythology, the cherry tree was sacred to the goddess Aphrodite, who was the goddess of love and beauty. It was believed that cherries possessed the power to attract love and passion.
He feels like his head is zooming out, doing a wide angle 360 spin, and then zooming back in.
The hard cherry blocks are still in wonderful condition though, so the set is now being brought back to life in a new edition being prepared under Dave s supervision by the Mokuhankan printers. Budo can feel all of today s thoughts and questions of flirting or not flirting rush through his head but also, his head is painfully empty as he thinks of what to do next.
It was believed that cherries possessed the power to attract love and passion. Similarly, in Japanese folklore, cherries are associated with the goddess of the geishas and symbolize purity, beauty, and grace. Magical cherry mystique is often further enhanced by the belief in the cherry blossom season – a time when cherry trees burst into full bloom, creating a breathtaking panorama of delicate pink flowers.
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The note had pretty handwriting and no signature, AND a request to meet up alone. He wasn't totally crazy to think this might be some kind of confession, right? He heard stories of girls doing things like that all the time. He just worried how self-centered it would make him if he turned out to be wrong.
People totally write anonymous letters asking to meet up under the pretty cherry blossoms for non-romantic reasons, probably. Yeah.
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Budo usually wasn't patient enough to sit and watch the cherry blossoms fall, but he couldn't deny that they were as pretty as people said.
It should have been easy to relax, the gentle breeze, the falling petals, the rushing water from the fountain, real textbook level serenity going on.
At least it would be if he wasn't so focused on trying to stop his heart from racing.
Okay, he was a man, he could admit it, he was nervous. It didn't help how Budo was a personal fan of throwing punches when things got tough, not just sitting around and waiting for something to happen.
Earlier that day he had gotten a note in his locker, someone asking him to meet them by the East Fountain. He didn't consider the possible (and likely) romantic context until he mentioned it to his club and they all promptly made fun of him.
The note had pretty handwriting and no signature, AND a request to meet up alone. He wasn't totally crazy to think this might be some kind of confession, right? He heard stories of girls doing things like that all the time. He just worried how self-centered it would make him if he turned out to be wrong.
People totally write anonymous letters asking to meet up under the pretty cherry blossoms for non-romantic reasons, probably. Yeah.
The main question then was, why here at the fountain? They literally had a magical cherry tree just waiting to be used. It was tradition, Budo cant remember hearing about any relationship that DIDN'T start on that hill.
Maybe they wanted something more discreet? Or something more original? Or maybe it wasn't a love confession.
Did it matter? Budo was going to sit here and sweat no matter what the situation was.
He could hear footsteps approaching. He didn't dare turn around, the idea of some blushing school girl coming to express her 'true feelings' like some scene from a shoujo, well, made him nauseous. He couldn't really name the reason why, all he knew was that his discomfort ran deep.
"Masuyama! You made it!"
Huh. That's not anything like the voice he was expecting.
He finally turns around to see Yamada, he clearly had just sprint to get here, out of breath and his face flushed.
Oh. Okay. That answered some questions. Budo could see why a boy asking another boy to meet under the cherry tree might have been hard for someone as shy as Taro. There wasn't a 'hateful' atmosphere to their school but rumors had a way of spreading around Akedemi.
Budo isn't as upset with this as he thought he would be.
While Taro catches his breath Budo takes a moment to draw his gaze over the other boy.
Yeah. He is definently okay with this.
Part of him is surprised, but the other part doesn't understand why he would be. Taro is cute. His whole loner schtick makes you want to step in and protect him.
"Hey Yamada! What's up?" Budo finally remembered that he needed to reply. Keep it friendly, dont scare the boy off!
Yamada takes a second to look around, clearly uneasy, "You dont have anyone waiting on you, right?" Was that flirting? Budo was never good at detecting those kind of signals. His head was full of martial arts and justice, NOT subtle romantic subtext.
"Haha! Nope! I'm all yours!" Okay was BUDO flirting? He didn't really think about it before saying anything. As usual.
Yamada smiles. Oh okay, he did something right. They must be (or seem) to be on the same page, flirting or not.
"Oh, good! I just wanted to ask. " He trails off, losing his nerve. The anticipation is killing him! Get a grip Yamada!
"Would you walk me home?" Taro's cheeks have gone red, and he cant make direct eye contact.
God! That didn't answer any of Budo's questions! He was just as confused as before! "Yeah! Sure thing, Yamada!" Budo agrees, like his brain isn't about to explode.
That's like. textbook flirting, he thinks. He's no expert. But why does it all have to be so vague? Maybe Yamada just wants company, or has a gang on his back and wants another punching bag present, or maybe he wants to 'accidentally' brush his hand against Budo's while they walk side by side.
"Oh! That's great! Thank you!" Taro looks at him, almost bashfully with a shy smile, like he's trying not to show how excited he is. Cute. Budo is starting to think he might be a little disappointed if there's no 'accidents'.
They walk out of the school side by side, at a respectable distance, before making it past one of the sketchier neighborhoods.
As the pair walk by an alley way, something moves.
"Hold on," Budo instinctively holds an arm out to cover Taro, getting ready for a fight.
No one moves a muscle, the air is tense.
After a moment, it seems whatever they heard doesn't plan on attacking them. Or at least they aren't going to wait around to be attacked any longer. He can feel Yamada figeting behind him.
Budo resumes his step right as something launches from the shadows, Yamada yelps before clinging to his arm. No worries, Budo could win a fight with only one hand. Probably.
Just as the adrenaline spikes, the attacker reveals itself. A rough looking gray cat stares at them, tail between its legs, both ends of this staring contest ready to fight.
After taking a deep breath, Budo can see the scene for what it was. The cat had just toppled some stacked up boxes and came crashing down with it.
Taro lets out a tense laugh, bringing attention to the fact that he is still tightly holding onto Budos arm. "Thank God, I thought my heart was going to bust out of my chest. " Yamada sighs.
"Dont worry Yamada! I wasn't going to let anything happen to you!" Budo loudly proclaims. He is a hero at heart! If Yamada was in danger, he would protect him until his final breath! That's just the kind of guy we was. No other reason. Why would there be another reason?
They continue their walk, chatting about things like their class or the different clubs. It's all pretty surface level stuff, but Taro never let's go of his arm.
They arrive outside of Taro's house, Budo drops him off on his porch like a proper gentleman.
"Matsuyama, Thank you for walking me home," Taro looks kind of sad as he says it, "Ever since Osana ended up in the hospital I haven't felt safe going by myself." He looks embarrassed at his confession.
Okay. So he really just did need some company, this wasn't some convoluted flirting scheme after all. Alright. Budo is happy to help either way.
"Hey, I get it. Dont feel bad about it! I'll walk you home whenever, you just have to ask!"
Budo likes being a hero, he understands that more than romance anyways.
Taro suddenly gets even more timid than before. The tips of his ears turn cherry red.
Cherry is Budo's favorite flavor.
"I just wanted to thank you again. " Taro won't look at him directly as he takes a step closer. "I really can't tell you how much this means to me. " Taro trails off before leaning in, planting a gentle kiss on Budos cheek.
He feels like his head is zooming out, doing a wide angle 360 spin, and then zooming back in.
By the time THAT sensation is over, both of them are frozen, staring at each other.
Taro looks like a deer, move too fast and he'll go running for the hills.
Budo can feel all of today's thoughts and questions of flirting or not flirting rush through his head but also, his head is painfully empty as he thinks of what to do next.
Then, with one hand he waves goodbye, and the other he holds up to his cheek where he can still feel the soft touch, "Goodnight! See you in class tomorrow, Taro!" He is grinning as wide as he can.
He walks back the way he came, head too full of clouds to see Taro wave back.
This fleeting beauty is seen as a reminder of the impermanence of life and the celebration of each moment. The cherry blossom season is celebrated in many countries, including Japan, where it is known as hanami, and marks the arrival of spring and the renewal of nature. Cherries also hold a place in the world of magical practices and rituals. In some traditions, crushing cherries and using their juice in spells is believed to bring about love and desire. Drinking cherry tea or using cherry-scented oils is said to enhance one's attractiveness and charisma. Additionally, cherries are often used in potions and elixirs to promote health and vitality. The magical cherry mystique goes beyond just symbolism and beliefs. Cherries are also known for their numerous health benefits, making them a potent ingredient in both traditional and modern medicine. They are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that contribute to improved heart health, immune system function, and overall well-being. Their sweet and tangy taste makes them a versatile addition to many culinary creations, further adding to their mystique and appeal. In conclusion, the magical cherry mystique encompasses the captivating symbolism, folklore, and healing properties associated with cherries. From their association with love and passion to their role in rituals and medicinal practices, cherries continue to captivate and intrigue with their enchanting allure. Whether enjoyed fresh or incorporated into various forms, cherries truly embody the mystical and magical qualities that have been attributed to them throughout history..
Reviews for "Cherry Blossom Legends from Around the World"
1. Emily - 1/5 - I found "Magical cherry mystique" to be extremely disappointing. The plot was weak and the characters were one-dimensional. The writing style lacked depth and failed to engage me as a reader. Overall, I felt like I wasted my time reading this book.
2. Jacob - 2/5 - While "Magical cherry mystique" had an interesting concept, the execution fell flat for me. The pacing was inconsistent, and there were too many unnecessary subplots that detracted from the main story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. I wouldn't recommend this book to others.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Magical cherry mystique" based on the intriguing title, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The prose was repetitive and lacked creativity. The characters were unrelatable and seemed to act randomly without clear motivations. The story meandered aimlessly, leaving me frustrated and uninterested in the outcome.
4. Michael - 1/5 - Honestly, I couldn't even finish "Magical cherry mystique". The writing was filled with grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures. The story lacked coherence and failed to grab my attention. The author's attempt at building suspense fell flat, and I found myself skimming pages just to get through it. Save yourself the trouble and skip this book.
5. Olivia - 2/5 - "Magical cherry mystique" had an interesting premise, but it quickly became clear that the author wasn't able to deliver on its potential. The characters were underdeveloped, and their actions often felt forced or unrealistic. The plot lacked depth and originality, following predictable tropes. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied with the book.